How to Get Amazing Maternity Photos
Many moms today only get one opportunity for maternity portraits, or maybe two. But even if you plan to have lots of kids, every pregnancy is unique and beautiful, and your maternity photos should be something you love and enjoy looking back on. So how do you get the best maternity photos you can?
There are plenty of ways to look your best on your photo shoot day - drinking plenty of water, prioritizing your skin care, getting a manicure, and so on. But those are just details. Let’s talk about some of the broader but truly important things you can do to make sure your maternity portraits are spectacular.
Choose Your Photographer (and Use Them) Wisely
Your maternity photographer is so much more than the person who takes your pictures. We construct the entire experience of maternity photography for you. We plan your photo shoot, guide you through the preparation, design and coach you through all of the posing and various shots, edit and refine your photos, and in many cases, help you turn those portraits into custom artwork for your home. The photographer you choose will affect every part of your experience and your photos, so don’t compromise! Choose someone who specializes in maternity photography.
Trust Your Photographer
Once you’ve chosen a photographer who knows maternity portraits and has work that you love, trust their expertise. We do this all year round, and we want you to be thrilled with your portraits! So take advantage of the fact that you’ve hired an expert and feel free to ask any questions and allow us to be your guide.
Along those same lines, make sure to be open and honest with your photographer. Are there certain poses that make you uncomfortable? Is there a particular look you really want to capture? Are you self-conscious about a particular aspect of your appearance and hope that it’s downplayed in your portraits? We can make all of this happen, so just let us know!
Choose Joy and Make a Day of It
There are two ways to approach maternity photography: you could view it as a means to an end or another task on the checklist and be stressed out about getting it done, or you could embrace it as a gift and a fun day to make special memories. Go with option two!
Trust me when I say that your mindset will come through in your portraits. This milestone is meant to celebrate your journey and your baby, so put yourself into a celebration mood. Even better, take the opportunity to make this a day all about your peace and happiness. Maybe start your day with a prenatal yoga class, book a sitter for your kids so that you can relax for the day, or plan a special night out with your partner since you’ll have your hair and makeup done anyway. You deserve to make this an experience to enjoy, and your maternity photos will be better for it.
Want to start planning your dream photo shoot? Contact Jaimié Birtel, Mercer Island’s specialized motherhood photographer, and let’s chat!